Electrosurgical systems and cartridges for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for use with an electrosurgical system includes a housing, a conduit, and a conductor. The housing includes a path defined therein. The conduit is disposed at least partially within the housing such that the path is configured to position at least a portion of the conduit within the housing. A chamber of the path is configured to dampen shock forces on the conduit. The conductor is adapted to transmit energy is disposed within the housing. At least a portion of the conductor is disposed at least partially within the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/821,361, filed on Jun. 22, 2007, the entirecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to cartridges for use with anelectrosurgical system and, more particularly, to cartridges configuredto receive conductors and conduits of an electrosurgical system.

Background of the Related Art

Electrosurgical systems are well known in the art. Some electrosurgicalsystems employ microwave energy to produce a number of therapeuticeffects in or on tissue at a target surgical site during any number ofsurgical procedures. Many electrosurgical systems transmit microwaveenergy as well as other kinds of energy through conductors, such as,wires, cables, tubing or other suitable energy transmission structures.In addition to the energy transmitting conductors, some electrosurgicalsystems have conduits adapted to carry cooling fluids to the surgicaltip of the electrosurgical system. These conduits transport coolingfluid to the surgical tip of the electrosurgical system to transfer heatbetween the surgical tip and the fluid within the conduit.

The process of connecting the conduits and/or conductors to theelectrosurgical system is often cumbersome. Ideally, a user should beable to easily connect the conduits and conductors to theelectrosurgical system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for use with anelectrosurgical system where the cartridge includes a housing, aconduit, and a conductor. The housing includes a path. The conduit isdisposed at least partially within the housing such that the path isconfigured to position at least a portion of the conduit within thehousing. A portion of the path is configured to dampen shock forces onthe conduit. The conductor is adapted to transmit energy. A portion ofthe conductor is disposed at least partially within the housing.

The present disclosure also relates to a cartridge having a housing foruse with an electrosurgical system where a path in the housing isconfigured to position at least a portion of a conduit and at least aportion of a conductor within the housing. A chamber of the path isconfigured to dampen shock forces on at least a portion of the conduitdisposed in mechanical cooperation therewith.

Further still, the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgicalsystem comprising a surgical instrument, a conductor, a conduit, acartridge, a pump, and a generator. The conduit is disposed inmechanical cooperation with the surgical instrument. The conductor isdisposed in mechanical cooperation with the surgical instrument. Thecartridge includes a path and is configured to position at least aportion of the conduit and at least a portion of the conduit. A chamberof the path is configured to dampen shock forced on the conduit. A pumpis disposed in mechanical cooperation with a portion of the conduit. Agenerator is disposed in electro-mechanical cooperation with at portionof the conductor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed electrosurgical systems andcartridges for use therewith are disclosed herein with reference to thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electrosurgical system having acartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 with a portionof its cover detached;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 1 with itscover detached; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3, taken throughline 4-4 (shown in FIG. 3).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed electrosurgical systems andcartridges for use therewith are described in detail with reference tothe drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical orcorresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein andas is traditional, the term “distal” refers to the portion that isfarther from the user and the term “proximal” refers to the portion thatis closer the user. Also, in the specification and the claims, allsingular forms, including “a,” “an,” and “the,” include the pluralreference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Likewise, allplural forms include the singular reference.

The cartridge of the present disclosure is intended to be used with anelectrosurgical system or any other suitable surgical system. Generally,electrosurgical systems deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue forthermal treatment such as tissue ablation, tissue vaporization, andtissue coagulation. For example, radio frequency (RF) energy may beapplied to tissue to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Theapplications of electrosurgical systems, however, are not limited to thetreatment of BPH. Surgeons often employ electrosurgical systems in otherkinds of surgical procedures such as cardiac ablation, cancer treatment,among others. Some electrosurgical systems are designed for use duringminimally invasive procedures.

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for use with anelectrosurgical system. The presently disclosed cartridge simplifies theassembly of an electrosurgical system. In particular, the configurationof the cartridge allows a user to easily connect conduits and conductorsin an electrosurgical system. The structural arrangement of thecartridge also dampens the shock forces exerted on portions of theconduits by a liquid being pumped through the conduit, thereby reducingthe stress on portions of the conduits.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrosurgical system isgenerally designated as reference numeral 100. The present disclosure isnot limited to any specific kind of electrosurgical system. Rather,electrosurgical system 100 can be a microwave ablation system, an RFsystem or any other suitable surgical system. Electrosurgical system 100includes an electrosurgical generator 110, a fluid source 120, a pump130, a surgical instrument 140, and a cartridge 200. Surgical instrument140 can be any suitable surgical apparatus, such as an ablationinstrument, a microwave antenna, or an RF probe.

Electrosurgical generator 110 supplies energy to surgical instrument 140and is in electro-mechanical cooperation with a conductor 220. Theenergy supplied by electrosurgical generator 110 is carried towardssurgical instrument 140 through conductor 220. Accordingly, conductor220 is adapted to transmit electrosurgical energy therethrough and mayextend between electrosurgical generator 110 and surgical instrument140. Conductor 220 can be made of any suitable electrically conductivematerial. Additionally, it is contemplated that conductor 220 can beformed of wires, cables, or any suitable energy transmitting apparatus.Moreover, conductor 220 can include one or more energy transmittingapparatuses. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, for example,conductor 220 includes three wires 202 a, 202 b, and 202 c.

Conductor 220 can have a first section 220 a electrically connected toelectrosurgical generator 110, a second section 220 b at least partiallydisposed within a housing 204 of cartridge 200, and a third section 220c electrically connected to surgical instrument 140. Second section 220b is configured to electro-mechanically couple first section 220 a andthird section 220 c of conductor 220. A conductor fitting (notexplicitly shown) may interconnect first and second sections 220 a, 220b and another conductor fitting (not explicitly shown) may interconnectsecond and third sections 220 b, 220 c. An electrically insulativematerial, such as heat shrink, may cover and/or insulate the conductorfittings.

Electrosurgical system 100 further includes a conduit 210 in fluidcommunication with fluid source 120. Fluid source 120 stores a fluid(e.g., cooling fluid). In operation, pump 130 extracts cooling fluidfrom fluid source 120 and delivers it to surgical instrument 140 throughconduit 210. Hence, pump 130 is operatively connected to fluid source120. A person skilled in the art will recognize, however, that fluidsource 120 can be in mechanical cooperation with any suitable fluiddelivery device capable of moving a fluid from fluid source 120 tosurgical instrument 140 through conduit 210.

Referring to FIG. 3, conduit 210 is adapted to carry cooling fluid andis at least partially disposed within housing 204 of cartridge 200. Thepresent disclosure contemplates that conduit 210 may be a closed fluidchannel. In particular, conduit 210 can include an inflow section 212and an outflow section 214. Inflow section 212 of conduit 210 carriescooling fluid from fluid source 120 to surgical instrument 140 whileoutflow section 214 of conduit 210 carries cooling fluid away fromsurgical instrument 140. During operation, fluid source 120 suppliescooling fluid to inflow section 212 of conduit 210, the cooling fluidthen flows through inflow section 212 of conduit 210 towards surgicaldevice 140 and extracts or transfers at least part of the heat generatedfrom surgical instrument 140, and thereafter, the cooling fluid flowsaway from surgical instrument 140 through outflow section 214 of conduit210.

In the illustrated embodiment, inflow section 212 includes a firstportion 212 a operatively attached to fluid source 120, a second portion212 b at least partially disposed within housing 204, and a thirdportion 212 c operatively connected to surgical instrument 140. Secondportion 212 b of inflow section 212 is configured to couple first andthird portions 212 a, 212 c of inflow section 212. A conduit fitting 216may interconnect first and second portions 212 a, 212 b of inflowsection 212, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that conduit fitting 216 can be a luer fitting or any othersuitable fitting. Conduit fitting 216 is disposed within housing 204 ofcartridge 200. Cartridge 200 can include an additional conduit fitting(not explicitly shown) that interconnects second portion 212 b and thirdportion 212 c of inflow section 212. This conduit fitting may bedisposed adjacent to the conductor fitting that interconnects secondsection 220 b and third section 220 c of conductor 220. All the fittingsdisclosed in the present disclosure can be positioned within housing 204externally of housing 204, or partially within housing 204.

In addition to housing 204, cartridge 200 includes a first opening 205,a second opening 206, a third opening 207, and a cover 202 (See FIG. 1).First opening 205 is configured to receive a portion of inflow and/oroutflow sections 212, 214 of conduit 210 while second opening 206 isadapted to receive a portion of conductor 220. Third opening 207 isconfigured to receive a portion of inflow and outflow sections 212, 214of conduit 210, and a portion of conductor 220. In the illustratedembodiment, the portions of conduit 210 and conductor 220 that arecontiguous to third opening 207 are contained with a sheath 218. Atleast a portion of sheath 218 is shown within housing 204. Sheath 218can be made of an electrically and/or thermally insulative material.First, second, and third openings 205, 206, 207 can be located onhousing 204, on cover 202, or can encompass an area including both cover202 and housing 204.

Cover 202 of cartridge 200 is detachably attached to housing 204. Whencover 202 is detached from housing 204 of cartridge 200, the internalcomponents of cartridge 202 are accessible to a user, as shown in FIG.3. Although the drawings show cover 202 sealing the entire housing 204,it is envisioned that cover 202 may seal only a portion of housing 204.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, housing 204 of cartridge 200 includes apath 230 configured to position portions of conduit 210 and portions ofconductor 220. Path 230, or a portion thereof, is configured to dampenshock forces exerted on conduit 210. As discussed above, pumping ofliquid through conduit 210 can produce shock forces on conduit 210. As aresult, conduit 210 may experience stress at least along a portion ofits length. Pumping liquid through conduit 210 can also move conduit 210within housing 204 of cartridge 200.

Path 230 includes a plurality of spaced apart walls 232 that canrestrict the movement of at least a portion of conduit 210 withinhousing 204. Walls 232 may also isolate conduit 210 from conductor 220.At least a portion of conduit 210 is slidably disposed within path 230.In one embodiment, a portion of conduit 210 is positioned between aportion of walls 232. Path 230 further includes a chamber 234. Chamber234 is configured to dampen the shock forces on conduit 210, e.g., byallowing slack of conduit 210 therein. Specifically, chamber 234 isconfigured to house portions of conduit 210 within cartridge 200 suchthat at least a portion of conduit 210 is not held tight, i.e., chamber234 allows at least a portion of conduit 210 to deflect therein. Morespecifically and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a width of chamber 234is at least two times larger than a width of a portion conduit 210positioned therein. Further, at least a portion of chamber 234 isconfigured to allow conduit 210 to move in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a length of conduit 210 at a distance of at least twicethe width of conduit 210. Consequently, when pumping liquid throughconduit 210, conduit 210 is able to slide through path 230 due to thespace provided for slack in chamber 234. This movement of conduit 210may help reduce the stress and may help dampen shock forces on conduit210.

As seen in FIG. 4, cartridge 200 additionally includes rib walls 236positioned with housing 204. Rib walls 236 can be disposed in path 230,and are configured to receive and axially fix conduit fitting 216.Additionally, rib walls 236 are adapted to dampen shock forces on theconduit 210.

As shown in FIG. 3, walls 232 of path 230 define a first trail 238adapted to receive at least a portion of inflow section 212 of conduit210. This portion of inflow section 212 is slidably disposed in firsttrail 238. First trail 238 extends from first opening 205 of cartridge100 to chamber 234 of housing 204. As discussed above, walls 230 alsodefine a chamber 234 that is adapted to allow slack of inflow section212 of conduit 210. Additionally, walls 232 of path 230 define a secondtrail 240. Second trail 240 extends from chamber 234 of housing 204 tothird opening 207. A portion of inflow section 212 of conduit 210 isslidably disposed in second trail 240.

A third trail 242 is defined by walls 232 of path 230. A portion ofconductor 220 is disposed in third trail 242. Third trail 242 extendsfrom second opening 206 to third opening 207 of housing 204. First andsecond trails 238, 240 are shown separated from third trail 242 so thatinflow section 212 of conduit 210 is isolated from conductor 220. Thisconfiguration may help reduce heat transfer between the cooling fluid ininflow section 212 and conductor 220 inside housing 204.

Walls 232 of path 230 define a fourth trail 244 configured to receive aportion of outflow section 214 of conduit 210. Fourth trail 244 extendsfrom third opening 207 to first opening 205 of housing 204. Fourth trail244 is shown separated from first, second, and third trails 238, 240,242.

To assemble electrosurgical system 100, a user can couple conduit 210 tocartridge 100 and couple conduit 210 to surgical instrument 140. Conduit210 can be connected to fluid source 120. Additionally, conductor 220can be connected to electrosurgical generator 110 and cartridge 100.

During operation, a user activates pump 130 to remove cooling fluid fromfluid source 120 and deliver it into inflow section 212 of conduit 210.The operator can also activate electrosurgical generator 110 to supplyenergy to surgical instrument 140. The energy supplied byelectrosurgical generator 140 travels through conductor 220 and reachessurgical instrument 140. At this point, the electrosurgical energyaccumulates heat as a consequence of the energy delivered thereto.

As discussed hereinabove, the operator of electrosurgical system 100 canactivate pump 130 to supply cooling fluid to surgical instrument 140.After pump 130 is activated, the cooling fluid starts flowing throughinflow section 212 of conduit 210. The activation of pump 140 may causea portion of inflow section 212 to move within walls 232 of path 230.The movement of inflow section 212 may follow first and second trails238, 240 within housing 204 of cartridge 100. During the movement ofinflow section 212 of conduit 210, a portion of inflow section 212 maypositioned itself in chamber 234.

Though a portion of inflow section 212 may move in response to fluidbeing pumped through conduit 210, it is envisioned that conduit fitting216 does not move within housing 204 of cartridge 100. Conduit fitting216, as discussed above, interconnects first portion 212 a and secondportion 212 b of inflow section 212 of conduit 210. Rib walls 236axially fix conduit fitting 216 in place. Since rib walls 236 axiallysecure conduit fitting 216, conduit fitting 216 may remain in itsoriginal position after the user activates pump 130. The remainingportions of inflow section 212 of conduit 210, however, may still movewhen a user starts pump 130.

Irrespective of the movement of inflow section 212, the cooling fluidinitially stored in fluid source 120 travels through inflow section 212of conduit 210 and eventually reaches surgical instrument 140. As thecooling fluid reaches surgical instrument 140, heat is transferred fromsurgical instrument 140 to the cooling fluid. Thereafter, the coolingfluid travels through outflow section 214 of conduit 210 away fromsurgical instrument 140 and into housing 204 of cartridge 100. Outflowsection 214 of conduit 210, and thus the fluid, exits housing 204through opening 205 of cartridge 200.

Although the present disclosure describes specific embodiments, theseembodiments should not be construed as limitations on the presentdisclosure, but merely exemplifications of the embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Those skilled in the art will envision many othervariations that are within the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure as defined by the claims appended thereto.

What it is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for use with an electrosurgicalsystem, the cartridge comprising: a housing including a path definedtherein; a conduit disposed at least partially within the housing suchthat the path is configured to position at least a portion of theconduit within the housing, and wherein a chamber of the path isconfigured to dampen shock forces on the conduit; and a conductoradapted to transmit energy, wherein at least a portion of the conductoris disposed at least partially within the housing.
 2. The cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein a width of the chamber is at least two times largerthan a width of a portion the conduit positioned therein.
 3. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the conduit includes a length and a width,at least a portion of the chamber being configured to allow the conduitto move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of theconduit at a distance of at least twice the width of the conduit.
 4. Thecartridge of claim 1, further comprising a conduit fitting configured tooperatively connect the conduit disposed at least partially within thehousing with an external conduit disposed external to the housing. 5.The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a conductor fittingconfigured to operatively connect the conductor disposed at leastpartially within the housing with an external conductor disposedexternal to the housing.
 6. The cartridge of claim 4, further comprisinga conductor fitting configured to operatively connect the conductordisposed at least partially within the housing with an externalconductor disposed external to the housing, wherein the conduit fittingis disposed adjacent the conductor fitting.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1,wherein the chamber is configured to allow slack in the conduit.
 8. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the conduit isslidably engaged within the path.
 9. A cartridge for use with anelectrosurgical system, the cartridge comprising: a housing including apath defined therein, the path being configured to position at least aportion of a conduit and at least a portion of a conductor within thehousing; and wherein a chamber of the path is configured to dampen shockforces on at least a portion of a conduit disposed in mechanicalcooperation therewith.
 10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein a width ofthe chamber is at least two times larger than a width of a portion aconduit configured for positioning therein.
 11. The cartridge of claim9, at least a portion of the chamber being configured to allow a conduitpositioned therein to move in a direction substantially perpendicular toa length of the conduit at a distance of at least twice a width of theconduit.
 12. The cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a conduitfitting configured to operatively connect a conduit disposed at leastpartially within the housing with an external conduit disposed externalto the housing.
 13. The cartridge of claim 9, further comprising aconductor fitting configured to operatively connect the conductordisposed at least partially within the housing with an externalconductor disposed external to the housing.
 14. The cartridge of claim12, further comprising a conductor fitting configured to operativelyconnect the conductor disposed at least within the housing with anexternal conductor disposed external to the housing, wherein the conduitfitting is disposed adjacent the conductor fitting.
 15. The cartridge ofclaim 9, wherein the path is configured to position a portion of aconduit such that the portion of the conduit is slidably engaged withinthe path.
 16. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the chamber isconfigured to allow slack in the conduit.
 17. An electrosurgical system,comprising: a surgical instrument; a conduit disposed in mechanicalcooperation with the surgical instrument; a conductor disposed inmechanical cooperation with the surgical instrument; a cartridgeincluding a path defined therein, the cartridge configured to positionat least a portion of the conduit and at least a portion of theconductor, and wherein a chamber of the path is configured to dampenshock forces on the conduit; a pump disposed in mechanical cooperationwith a portion of the conduit; and a generator disposed inelectro-mechanical cooperation with a portion of the conductor.
 18. Theelectrosurgical system of claim 17, wherein a width of the chamber is atleast two times larger than a width of a portion the conduit positionedtherein.
 19. The electrosurgical system of claim 17, wherein the conduitincludes a length and a width, at least a portion of the chamber beingconfigured to allow the conduit to move in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the length of the conduit at a distance of at leasttwice the width of the conduit.
 20. The electrosurgical system of claim17, wherein the chamber is configured to allow slack in the conduit.